Making the case that a sector-based approach is essential to unlock the barriers to reach the objectives of the Paris Agreement and should therefore be adopted for revision of NDCs.

Delaying action implies a triple burden: doing more later, being less prepared for it and paying more, besides being a fundamental matter of feasibility to meet the Paris Agreement mitigation goals. Increasing pre-2030 ambition leads to a smoother, more realistic transition; it avoids relying on more intense rates of decarbonisation later, or asking comparatively more of a specific sector, which may increase acceptability problems. Higher pre-2030 ambition offers an opportunity to reduce the overall cost of the transition through ‘learning by doing’ and avoids locked-in investments.

A sectoral country-driven approach to decarbonisation is more likely to deliver ambition that is compatible with the goals of the Paris Agreement and can make transformation happen on the ground. This approach can be supported by advancing international governance mechanisms in sectoral terms, and periodic review mechanisms structured by sectoral themes.

This policy brief was submitted as a contribution to the Talanoa Dialogue in October 2018.